Home
| Comments From Adult Adoptees |
| "The point is, adoption isn't easy and neither is it 'over' at birth. The adoptee as a child has no rights which are protected by the closed records system at the time of birth. It is only as an adult that the adoptee can enter into the arrangement as an 'equal.' The closed record system, however, denies the adoptee that equal status, subjugating their rights to those of the birth and adoptive parents." - Anonymous Adult Adoptee |
| "I never was given the opportunity to speak for myself as an adopted child - my birthparents and adoptive parents spoke for me. I thank them all respectively for giving me life and letting me live it the best I know how, based on my adoptive parents' teachings. I'm an adult now - I deserve the right to speak and be heard... I want to shed light on the truth so that shame will be banished forever." - Elle Hills |
| "As an adoptee, I have the right to know my history. I do not, however, have the right to force myself on anyone who does not wish to know me." - Kate Groover |
| "As an adult, I should have access to my birth records just like the rest of the human population. Open records has nothing to do with contacting the birth family. I have a right to know who I am. Contact and reunion are totally separate issues." - Janet Dobbs |
| "I am a 62 year old male adoptee great granddad. Don't think I would be any threat to birth parents or members of (birth parents') families; would like to know if I have any brothers or sisters though. Believe my offspring should know their roots and any medical history for their well-being. In my state (NC), there is no non-ID information available for records as old as mine, only option, open records ... If by chance they would like to open a communication channel and gain a new friend, that would be a plus all around. Remember, we had NO choice when we were born; but as adults, we should have the same RIGHTS as every other citizen." - Thomas E. Bowden |
| "According to the government, we are and always will be children who have no rights. Isn't this a violation of the Constitution?" - Lori Allen |
| "It is important to know your heritage, your current medical information... those who gave life at an early age, only now - 20, 30 years later - know what problems have surfaced. (Adoptees) could actually marry our brother or sister." - Debra Lee Heinrich |
| "This is not a privacy issue, nor a reunion issue. It is about freedom of information and disclosure. There is no compromise in regard to human rights." - Nicole Bayer |
| "We adoptees are citizens and deserve the same rights as all other citizens. I served to protect and defend. Those birth certificates should be a concern only of the person whose birth is recorded on it. It should not be a concern of anyone else, especially those who stand to gain monetarily." - Craig Cantrell |
| "The bottom line to me is that a decision that affects my entire life was made without my consent. The opposition to open records never seems to take the adoptee's rights into account. I only want what every non-adopted American can easily obtain. My original birth certificate." - Cali Hackman |
| "Compromises, such as contact and disclosure vetoes, infantilize adult adoptees and continue the Victorian shame and stigma that were attached to adoption, unwed mothers, and illegitimacy in the past. Open Records restore the civil rights of adoptees." - Nancy Andrews |
| "Contact and disclosure vetoes amount to restraining orders against non-criminal adults. In fact, they are far worse: a veto does not allow the accused his or her day in court. Vetoes aren't a compromise; they are a civil rights violation." - Lesli LaRocco |
| "As much as I would love to meet my birthparents, I would want to respect their privacy - at this point, the information about them is more important to me than actually meeting them. Especially medical info." - Anonymous Adult Adoptee |
| "The time for shame in illegitimacy has come to an end! Birthparents should not have the right to hide their identities from their offspring, certainly not at the expense of (adoptees) civil rights." - Cheryl Richmond |
| "I am an adult adoptee. Please open the records so I can find out who I am." - Gayle Lee (Beyer) Underwood |
top of page
Birth Family | Misc. Others
Email Page to a Friend | Feedback | Adoption | Adoption Wiki | Parent Profiles | Infertility | Adoption Information
© Adopting.org 1995-2010. This site should not substitute personal professional, legal, or medical advice. The accuracy and personal applicability of this information is not guaranteed. By using it you agree to the terms of service, including jurisdiction and limitation of liability provisions.
Add Your Comments!
We want to know what you think. Your comments are important to us and the other readers. You are what makes this site special.